M&P9c or CW9 first CC?

[R.Taylor]

I'm looking to get my first handgun and plan on getting CCW.

I'm trying to decide between the M&P9c or the CW9. I can get them locally for around the same price ~400.00. I have handled both and have liked both. I can't find anywhere local that rents them. I'm 5'10 145lbs. I worry that the M&P's extra width would be too hard to conceal easily.
Even at the similar price point I feel better with the more mid-line M&P then the budget CW.

All opinions appreciated.
Thanks
RT

 

[Dean407]

People often go through or have several CCW guns and change them out according to dress type and weather.

You have to be confident in the gun. You have to take it with you all the time.

Get the one you feel you like the most and adapt to it.

 

[Bob79]

If both seem OK for you as far as size goes, then I say go with the S&W. The Kahr CW9 is a "budget" model, but only in areas that shouldn't matter as far as self-defense performance.

Kahrs tend to be more "picky" with ammo, require a 200 round "break-in", and just seem to have a higher rate of problems. The S&W M&P is newer, but still has been on the market for well over a year, and should have the bugs worked out by now.

The S&W gives you 12+1 as opposed to 7+1, but it is a bit larger though. S&W has great customer service, and I personally don't like the sights on the Kahr. The S&W comes with a Novak 3-dot set up, plus I do believe the refund still runs until tomarrow. You get $50 back, plus 2 free mags.

Go with the Smith.

 

[Tempusfugit77]

I think the CW9 will be much better for carry. I love the full size M&P's, but I do not like the grip on the compacts. My pinky hangs off the bottom unless I use the extended magazine. The CW9 will be easier to conceal and it will allow for a full grip (unless you have very large hands). I own a P9 and it literally dissapears with a good holster.

Both my Kahr and M&P have been 100% reliable. I have heard that both companies have excellent customer service.

I prefer the sights on the Kahr over the M&P.. but this is just my preference.

I would not worry about the CW9 being a budget model. The differences are very minimal. The only thing that made me buy the P9 over the CW9 is that the CW9 does not allow for installation of night sights.

 

[mquaack]

M&P9c

M&P9c

 

[Rokman]

I would choose the M&P over the CW9. I have the M&P 40c and love it. The M&P9c should be a nice shooter for cc.

 

[DSOTM]

9c conceals great on me. My hands are small enough to get a good grip on it as well. The longer the grip the harder to conceal in my experience.

 

[jon_in_wv]

My first CCW was a Kel Tec P11. I think the PF9 is a terrific option for you too. Better trigger and sights than its bigger brother. Between the M&P and Kahr though I would have to pick the M&P 9c. My carry gun is a M&P 9c and I love it.

 

[38snapcaps]

I can remember the first time I picked up a Kahr CW9. The size and weight instantly felt just right. Then I closed my eyes, extended the gun out with one hand, opened my eyes to find a perfect sight picture. Then I slipped it into my waist band and that felt perfect also, even without a holster.

I attended a Meth lab presentation at work and noticed the plain no uniformed officer giving the talk had a CW9 in his waistband behind his hip bone. I've carried mine that way on occasion and it's quite comfortable.

For me, 5' 10" 135lbs, the M&P is too big, the Kahr is perfect.

 

[newkahrman]

wow i just traded my m&p 9 for a cw9 for that reason. I couldn't conceal it. I love the m&p and will have another in the future, but with a shoulder rig. the kahr cw9 is my new carry gun. it's slim light weight frame makes it a pleasure to carry. I highly recommend it.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I wear my M&P 9C with shorts and just a t-shirt covering it in the summer. You really need the right holster to do that though. I carry mine in a CTAC holster. I tried a Desantis cozy partner but it wasn't happening with that holster. It does have a lot of mass in its slide. I would prefer something smaller if the M&P didn't shoot SO dang well. 24 rounds with the option of using my wife's 17 round mags, soft shooting, and accurate. Thats hard to pass up.